Republicans reject bill to give $250 to seniors | wfaa.com | Home Page

Republicans reject bill to give $250 to seniors | wfaa.com | Home Page: "WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans on Wednesday thwarted a Democratic effort to award $250 checks to Social Security recipients facing a second consecutive year without a cost-of-living increase.
President Barack Obama and Democrats have urged approval of the one-time payment, saying seniors barely getting by on their Social Security checks face undue hardships without the COLA increase.
But Republicans contended that the nation couldn't afford the estimated $14 billion cost of the payment, and that the COLA freezes in 2010 and 2011 come after seniors received a significant boost in 2009.
The measure was brought up under a fast-track procedure that required a two-thirds majority for passage. The 254-153 vote in favor of the bill fell short of that.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the financial aid was critical to seniors facing rising costs and falling home values and was fiscally responsible. 'But unfortunately, congressional Republicans overwhelmingly chose to oppose it.' Twenty-six Republicans voted for the bill, while 141 opposed it. Democrats were in favor, 228-12.
COLAs are set automatically each year by an inflation measure that was adopted by Congress in 1975. More than 58 million retirees, disabled people and surviving family members receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income checks. The average monthly check is $1,072."

I wonder how the Seniors feel that voted for them?